834.00/895: Telegram

The Minister in Paraguay ( Howard ) to the Secretary of State

24. My 21, August 16, 9 a.m. and 22, August 17, 11 a.m.7 The President and other members of the new government are all quite generally regarded as men of the highest type, level headed and dispassionate.

The announced purposes of the new regime are to call elections and return to constitutional government at the earliest possible date. In accepting the presidency, Dr. Paiva stated that he did so for a period not to exceed 6 months. It is nearly unanimous belief that this government intends to and will be able to carry out its announced intentions. As nearly as can be judged the new government has a very substantial measure of popular support and what is of perhaps greater importance there seems to be nearly unanimous support on the part of the army and navy officials. The apparent fact that the new government [Page 725] is kindly regarded by the ecclesiastical authorities lends an additional element of support. The fact that the overturn was carried out without bloodshed has left the new government free of animosities which might otherwise exist. Although from twenty-five to thirty persons were temporarily detained while the movement was under way, I am informed that all but two or three have been released. It is generally understood that there will be under this government no political detentions or deportation. Under these circumstances and with popular support as well as that of the army and navy it would seem that the new government should be able to maintain itself in power. However, rumors have just reached me that there is considerable dissatisfaction in the army. It is impossible at this moment to express an opinion regarding these rumors or the extent of any dissatisfaction which may exist.

From the type of men composing the new government and from the intelligence displayed in effecting the change, it would seem reasonable to suppose that the convenience and necessity of complying with international agreements would be recognized. It will be recalled that one of the causes of the overthrow of the Ayala8 Government was the campaign attacking the protocols with reference to the Chaco question and also that the same type of attacks and propaganda has been used against the Franco Government for months past. Unfortunately, there has thus arisen among the populace a state of mind which would cause this or any other government to proceed with extreme caution in the Chaco question.

Repeat to Buenos Aires.

Howard
  1. Latter not printed.
  2. Eusebio Ayala, former President of Paraguay. See Foreign Relations, 1936, vol. v, pp. 858 ff.